Sorrento

The kids and I have now been to Sorrento three times. It was almost instantly on the first visit that it became ranked on my "favourite places in Italy" list. It's just south of Naples and is at the north end of the Amalfi Coast. It's small (pop. 16 000 - although it feels much bigger) and it just has a different pace. However, I have yet to see it in tourist season.

Sorrento is famed in literature and for it's visitors from famous Romans to Casanova. It has a beautiful atmosphere with all the things a tourist needs for a day visit. It has shopping, cafes, restaurants and pizzerias. (And Kyle won't let me forget the gelaterias and his favourite toystore!) It has a small lane jammed with little shops selling the local specialties: leather (purses, gloves, shoes), local pasta and everything lemon. The area is famous for lemons! The most popular item has to be lemoncello. It's a very smooth lemon drink with a dangerous kick! Of course there are lemon chocolates, candies, soaps, tableclothes and everything else lemon. There is even a lemon grove right in the heart of this bustling town!

I've now seen Sorrento in the sun and the rain and I still love it. The people are great - very friendly and helpful! Of course it doesn't hurt that most every lemon shop is very willing to share samples of their lemoncello - which of course is better than anyone else's. (Most shops have the factory in the back of the shop.) Of course Kyle likes the shop that makes the chocolates where he can stand and watch - and charm his way into receiving many samples!

I love the feeling of wondering the streets of Sorrento. Not that I've shopped that much there. I have checked out almost every single pottery shop, but only purchased one beautiful bowl with lemons painted on it. Sorrento is a port town but the heart of the town is perched high above the water. It has lots of waving palms and greenery. And the view out onto the Bay of Naples is breathtaking!

I'm sure we will return to Sorrento. It's a must see for my visitors' list and I still have to get Brian here!